Marked By The Demon Triplet Alpha Kings

Chapter 21

Aurora

Weighing the dangerous options one last time, I took a deep breath, calming my raging nerves as I tried to pick the best option.

Except both were suicidal.

I wiped the dried tears that stained my cheeks with the back of my palm as I proceeded out of my room to make the final arrangements with my dad.

Be strong, Aurora. Now wasn’t the time to brood.

I spent hours in my room drenching my pillow with tears until I had no tears in my eyes.

The moment my legs hit the hallway, the atmosphere got tense.

My presence made everyone mute as they stared at me with a glimmer of hope in their eyes.

It was crazy how the news traveled so fast.

A feeling of selfishness coursed through me as I made my way into their midst.

Guilt pricked my heart, making me avoid their gazes.

I wasn’t going to be anyone’s saviour to the detriment of myself.

And I wouldn’t let my emotions make me do something irrational.

But when the eyes of an innocent boy accidentally pinned mine, I felt my heart do a backflip.

I recognized the boy.

His parents were killed in the attack, leaving him orphaned. He was among the few people that would be transported to my mother’s pack.

Pain clung to my chest as I reluctantly tore my gaze from his helpless ones, heading to my father’s room with so much focus.

A feeling of betrayal settled in my gut when I turned to look at the boy again.

His eyes were so compelling that they moved me to tears.

Why do I feel like I betrayed him?

Why was he staring at me like I was his saviour?

I was just like him, helpless and confused, uncertain about the future.

What was wrong with me?

Where was the selfless Aurora?

Put your people first or save your life?

I had to think of my happiness.

What do I really want?

Despite spending hours on that question, I could not decide the answer.

A part of me desperately wanted to become a hero by sacrificing myself for the pack, just like a future Luna would do.

My people needed me and I hearkened onto their voices.

Think, Aurora! Time was running out.

But the more I tried to think, the more my head became blank in confusion.

I halted before my father’s room, standing in silence briefly before pushing the door open.

The gloomy faces of my parents came into view as they watched me make my way to them.

Their faces looked like they had concluded before my arrival.

My father’s Beta stood by the door, watching us like a hawk watching its lunch. His eyes rarely left his phone as he was being updated by the happenings in the pack.

The moment I looked up at him, his face hardened.

But I could tell that behind his hard stares was a sad feeling.

What was it with men and concealing their feelings?

My mother was the first to get up before throwing herself at me, engulfing me in a bear hug.

Her tears spilled on my cheeks as she wept like a baby, refusing to let me go.

I pulled away from her hug, wiping her teary eyes with my fingers before planting a kiss on her forehead.

Her face lit with a brief excitement as she looked into my eyes.

“Rory, Your father and I have discussed. You don’t have to choose between the two options. You will come with me to my parents ‘ house. You don’t need to take anything if you don’t want to. I’d have your servants get everything you need once we arrive at the pack safely. The ship we would board is waiting for us at the port. We must hurry if we don’t want our enemies to catch up with us,” she said, giving me a gentle squeeze on my hand.

I pulled backward, sliding my hand off her and throwing her a confused look.

“What about Dad?” My eyes met with Dad but he looked away, biting his bottom lip painfully.

I gasped in shock at the realization of my parents’ concluded arrangements.

I would never be a part of it. Not without my father.

“Dad is not going?” I half screamed, breaking free from my mother as she tried to pull me into an embrace.

“Why would we leave him behind?”

“Darling…He is the Alpha. He can’t leave in the middle of a war. He has to protect his people. Plus he can’t travel by sea with his condition.” She tried to explain but I shook my head vehemently, refusing to be convinced.

“I know but it’s a very difficult option for me too considering that he is my mate. But it is for the best. I have prayed to the Moon goddess to keep him alive. He and some warriors will hide in a secret basement where the enemies can’t get to them. After the fight is over, they will bring him to us. I promise everything will be fine. We will be fine.” Her soothing voice rang in my ears and I was almost convinced by her compelling eyes.

But it didn’t get to me.

“But he won’t survive here. He is too weak to fight and he might get killed!” I screamed, before looking at Dad who had been silent all through our argument.

“Neither would he survive on the sea. Don’t make this already more difficult than it is for me. It’s too dangerous to waste time, let’s move now before it’s too late,” she said with an air of finality.

Tears welled up in my eyes as I rested my gaze on my father’s figure on his bed.

Leaving without him would drive me insane.

I love him and I would do anything for him to come with us.

“I’m not leaving without my father,” I said stubbornly, rushing to my father’s side before clinging to him tightly.

“I’m not leaving you, Dad. I don’t know what I’d do if something bad happened to you. I’m sure I will never forgive myself.” I sobbed harder, holding him against me with a firm grip.

“Listen to your mother, Aurora. It doesn’t matter if I survive or not. What matters is that you and your mother are safe,” he replied in resignation, shattering my already bleeding heart.

“Aurora!” My mum yelled, glancing at her wristwatch before shooting me sternly. “There isn’t much time. You have to accept reality and cut it out.”

“The sailor is ready to leave. Luna, please, lead the way.” The Beta interrupted, stopping our conversation.

Silence fell in the room as all eyes were on me. Waiting for my next step.

I didn’t know what tantrum to throw that would make my father come with me.

All I knew was that I wasn’t leaving without him.

But come to think of it, running away to another pack was cowardice.

I was no coward.

I would be a Luna someday and I would lead by example when faced with challenges.

Running away wouldn’t solve anything. It would only multiply the number of deaths.

The lives of innocent pups, newly mated wolves, and their lives would be wasted.

I wasn’t sure I would be able to live with it.

My conscience would prick me until my last breath.

I needed to act fast…and act right.

“Baby, I understand what you are feeling, but this is the only option we have.” My mother’s pleading eyes met mine.

“Except this isn’t,” I blurted, taking a few steps away from us, which was enough to create a large gap.

With pain in my heart, I paused to look at my parents one last time. “I’m not running anywhere with you. I would rather become the Alpha King’s property to save my people,” I stated in a firm voice.

“You must be crazy!” My mother’s voice switched into an angry one as she charged at me.

It was the first time she would get angry and raise her voice at me, but I didn’t care.Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

My mind was sealed and nothing would change it.

The image of the helpless boy flashed in my head. It only hardened my heart.

“I’m sick of hearing about the death of my people daily and my father is not getting better. The best way is to let the king handle them. Since he has a reputation for conquering every battle, let him vanquish our enemies.”

“At the expense of your life? Do you know the consequences of the choice you are about to make?” Her voice shook in shock as she stared at me dumbfounded.

“Do you realize that becoming the Alpha King’s property means you belong to him? You are no longer our daughter and you might never see us again except he permits. We won’t have access to you and do horrible things to you.” A year trickled down her cheeks as she continued.

“You will belong to that cruel bastard forever. No, I won’t allow that-”

“Mum!” I called, gaining her attention.

“I know you want to save me, Aurora, but don’t do it at the expense of your life.” My father pleaded, unable to control the tears that streamed down his face.

My heart shattered into a thousand pieces as I looked at him.

I’m sorry Dad.

I have chosen my option and there was no turning back.

“I mean every word I said. We don’t have to run and people don’t have to die. In exchange for safety, I would surrender myself to the Alpha King,” I said firmly, leaving no room for excuse.

I blinked severally to stop my tears as I turned to the Beta whose jaws were dropped in shock.

“Message the Alpha King to deploy his toughest warriors. Also tell him that I, Aurora Gray, have agreed to become his property for the rest of my life.”